Food bank says Santa doesn't work there

Bogus volunteer claims to be taking donations, but he's not authorized.

Bogus volunteer claims to be taking donations, but he's not authorized.

December 22, 2005|JENNIFER OCHSTEIN Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Santa Claus is not being dispatched from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. And people shouldn't give donations to a possible rogue Santa telling people he has been sent by the food bank. Nick Dalton, interim president and chief executive officer of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, said he took a call from an angry local business owner earlier this week. The business owner, whom Dalton did not name, was upset because a Santa, who said he was from the food bank, did not show up for a scheduled event at his business, Dalton said. The problem was that the food bank is not sponsoring any such events. The Santa apparently called the business owner, Dalton said, misrepresenting himself as being from the food bank. The business owner had promoted the event, saying photos would be available with the Santa and donations would be accepted, Dalton explained. The business owner also apparently told Dalton that the Santa had showed up at a few events at other businesses, saying he represented the food bank, Dalton said. Dalton said that the business owner, who is a food bank supporter, was promoting an event he thought was legitimate. A news release from Dalton states that the food bank "has not contacted any business or organization in regards to bringing a Santa to take pictures and/or to accept donations." Dalton said Wednesday over the phone that he hopes the Santa has not accepted any donations, "but he could very easily have done that." With people's generous nature this time of year, he would hate for people to make a donation to the food bank via one of these events and not have their donation go toward what they thought, Dalton said. For more information or to ask questions, call the food bank at (574) 232-9986. Staff writer Jennifer Ochstein: jochstein@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6187